Effectiveness of Egg Versus Whey Protein Powder During Resistance Training

Egg Versus Whey Protein as the Optimal Supplement for Fitness-conscious People

Consumption of whole eggs has recently been shown to stimulate muscle protein synthesis to a greater degree than consumption of egg whites after a resistance training session. It is theorized that the egg yoke contains bio-active nutrients that enhance the protein provided by egg whites. The study will evaluate the effect of whole egg powder compared to whey protein powder and placebo over 12 weeks of resistance training in men and women who are participating in resistance training programs.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Muscle Atrophy
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Whole egg powder; Dietary supplement: Whey protein powder; Dietary supplement: Maltodextrin placebo

Detailed Description

Consuming whole eggs after resistance training sessions appears to be more effective for simulating muscle protein synthesis that simply consuming egg whites. The egg yolks might enhance the effect of protein derived from egg whites. The study will compare post-exercise supplementation with about 30 grams of protein derived from whole egg powder versus whey protein powder and placebo (maltodextrin) over a 12-week resistance training program. Resistance-trained men and women (n=120) will be randomized to consume either the whole-egg powder, whey protein powder or maltodextrin after resistance training 6 times per week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure is change in lean tissue mass. Secondary measures include change in fat mass, change in arm and leg muscle thickness, change in bench press, squat, and knee extension strength, and change in fasting blood glucose.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 115
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Saskatchewan
    • Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, S4S 0A2
      • University of Regina
    • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, S7N5B2
      • University of Saskatchewan

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 35 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Resistance training experience for at least one year

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having taken any nutritional supplements the past 30 days
• Currently using anabolic steroids
• Currently taking corticosteroids
• Allergies to dairy or egg products
• Identifying any medical conditions as determined by the "Get Active Questionnaire"

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Whole egg powder; Dietary supplementation with whole egg powder after resistance training sessions	Dietary supplement: Whole egg powder; Nutritional supplementation during a 12 week resistance training program
Active Comparator: Whey protein powder; Dietary supplementation with whey protein powder after resistance training sessions	Dietary supplement: Whey protein powder; Nutritional supplementation during a 12 week resistance training program
Placebo Comparator: Maltodextrin placebo; Dietary supplementation with maltodextrin placebo after resistance training sessions	Dietary supplement: Maltodextrin placebo; Nutritional supplementation during a 12 week resistance training program

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in lean tissue mass	Lean tissue mass measured by DXA	12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in fat mass	Fat mass measured by DXA	12 weeks
Change in biceps muscle thickness	biceps muscle thickness measured by ultrasound	12 weeks
Change in triceps muscle thickness	triceps muscle thickness measured by ultrasound	12 weeks
Change in quadriceps muscle thickness	quadriceps muscle thickness measured by ultrasound	12 weeks
Change in hamstrings muscle thickness	hamstrings muscle thickness measured by ultrasound	12 weeks
Change in bench press strength	Bench press strength (kg)	12 weeks
Change in leg squat strength	Leg squat strength (kg)	12 weeks
Change in knee extension strength	Isokinetic knee extension torque	12 weeks
Change in fasting glucose	Fasting glucose	12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Saskatchewan
• Collaborators: Egg Farmers of Canada
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Philip Chilibeck, Ph.D., University of Saskatchewan; Principal Investigator: Darren Candow, Ph.D., University of Regina

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 30, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 31, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): August 31, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 11, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 11, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): January 25, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 29, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 24, 2024
• Last Verified: May 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Atrophy; Muscular Atrophy
• Other Study ID Numbers: Bio 2962

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No